Transcript Climate 11-3

Objective: To know that climate is
often defined by annual temperatures
and precipitation amounts.
 Climate
is the long
term average of
weather patterns
of an area that
includes
temperature,
wind, and
precipitation.
 Earth’s
climate is
classified into
different regions.
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Cold polar tundra
Dry desert
Mediterranean
Humid subtropical
Highland
Humid continental
Marine
 Ex:
A
Mediterranean
climate is mild,
wet winters, and
hot dry summers
 Ex: A highland
climate is cool to
cold temperatures
and occurs in the
mountains and on
high plateaus.
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Earth’s climates are
shaped by the energy
received from the sun.
Latitude and altitude, &
mountain barriers, also
affect climate.
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Latitude: High latitudes
receive les solar radiation &
have lower average
temperatures. As latitude
decrease, average
temperatures increase.
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Distribution of Land &
Water: Land surfaces heat
and cool rapidly. Ocean
surfaces heat and cool
slowly.
Ocean Currents: redistribute
heat around the Earth.
Prevailing Winds: Influence
climate by moving air, heat,
and water vapor around
Earth.
Human Influences on
Climate: Burning fossil fuels
releases the greenhouse gas
carbon dioxide into the
atmosphere. This could lead
to an increases average
temperatures at Earth’s
surface.